Cane stripper and topper



H. 0. SCRNTON. CANE STRIPPER AND TOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. 1919. y

1,333, 187, Patented Mar. 9,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

M M I l {ZZ/wi? H. 0. SCRANTON.v

CANE sTRlPPEH AND TOPPER.

I I I APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24.1919. 1,333,187. I i

' Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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To all ywlw/a t may concern Specification of LettersPatent.

Be it known that lf, HENRY O. SoRANToN,

a citizen ont the United States, residing at Jeanerette, in the parish of Iberia and State oi Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Cane Strippers and Toppers, ot which the :tollowing'is a speciiication.

rlhis invention relates to devices :tor removing` the leaves V:trom sugar canes after the canes have been cut down, and also for removing the upper end portions of the canes;` and it consists oi portable stripping and topping mechanisms which are actuated by a suitable motor as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

in the drawings, Figure l is a side View of a cane stripper and topper constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the machine.

The machine is provided with a frame 2, which is mounted on ground wheels 3. This frame may be attached to the rear end of a cane harvester of any approved construction, and it is provided with a table 4 or other suitable support at its front end for receiving the canes. Cutters 5 are supported by a plate 6 ar "anged a little to the rear of the table, and as many cutters as desired can be used. rThe cutters 5 are arranged in a row and are substantiallyT tubular. The cutters may be cylindrical, or of any other suitable shape or cross section, and they are provided with sharp cutting edges at their iront ends.

Rollers 7 are arranged below and behind the cutters 5 and are secured on a shalt 8, journaled in bearings 9, and driven by any suitable motor l0, such as a gasolene engine. Rollers i2 are mounted to revolve over the rollers 7, and the rollers and 12 are grooved or are otherwise constructed so that they will `grip the canes tightly. rlhe upper rollers l2 are journaled in bearings 14- on springs l5, which are secured to a support 16, and provided with pressure adjusting screws 17. p

It desired, all the roll-ers maybe driven positively by the motor, or additional rollers or pairs ot rollers may be placed behind the rollers 7 and l2 to assist them in dragging the canes through the cutters.

The rollers 7 are driven at a relatively high speed so that the cane is pulled rearwardly and is discharged from between the rollers with considerable torce. The `canes are thrust into the cutters by nien who stand on platforms 13, one at each end ci' the feed table, and the smaller end portionsot the canes are seized by the rollers behind the cutters.

A bumper or stop plate 20 is arranged at the rear end of the machine,y and the canes strike `against this bumper as they are shot from between the rollers 7 and l2. rlhe canes fall upon anendless conveyer 2l ot approved construction, which is arranged to travel crosswise ot the machine in the space between the cutters and the bumper.

4is secured on the saw shaft.

rlhe eonveyer 2l is provided with a driving shatt'22 which is driven from the motor by an endless iieziible connection or drive chain 2st and drive wheels 25. The lower end portion oit' the conveyer is supported by a. shaft 2G and wheels 27, and the conveyer is arranged in a suitably inclined position so as to discharge the canes from its upper end into a'suitable cart or other receptacle.

A topping saw 29 is provided for cutting oit the upper end portions of the canes. This saw is arranged to one side of the lower portion of the conveyer, near the bumper, and is secured on a saw shaft 28 journaled in bearings 31 on the frame. The saw shaft is coupled to the shalt 8, by means of beveled toothed wheels 30, or any other suitable driving devices, The motor shatt- 32 is connected to the saw shaft 28 by a flexible driving connection 33 and wheels 3i and 35. @ne oi the beveled wheels 30 is secured on a countershaift 36 journaled in bearings 3?.

on the frame, and the other beveled wheel "ihe roller shaft 8 is driven 'from the countershaft by a flexible driving` connection 38 and wheels 39 and d0, but any other approved driving devices may be used between the differentshafts of the machine.

TWhat I claim is:

l. The, combination, with a cane stripping machine provided withV rollers which project the canes rearwardly and horizontally after they leave the stripping devices, et a vertical bumper arranged to the rear'oi the said machine in the rearward path ot the stripped canes and operating to arrest them and even their tops, a topping saw arranged parallel to and in advance of the said bumper, and means for supporting the canes after they strike the bumper and while the saw is cutting' or; their top end portions.'y

Fatented liar. 9, 1139251).v .application mea February 24, rea. serial intereses. I

2. The combination, Witha cane stripping machine provided Wlth rollers whlch project the cane rearwardly and horizontally afterv an inclined eonveyer arranged to Work eross- 10 Wise of the bumper and operating to support the Canes after they strike the bumper and While the saw is cutting off their top end portions.

In testimony whereof I have aHXed my 15 signature.

HENRY OSBEST SCRANTON. 

